Milano Design Weekend

Milano's charisma lies in a glamour founded on restraint, on the exquisite tension between sensual pleasure and rigorous decorum. It is with that vision in mind I had the opportunity to showcase an edgier, and perhaps darker side, of Atelier Linde Lim at Milano Design Weekend competition, which opened on Thursday.

I am humbly honoured to have two of the submitted designs place in the finals. The news only added to the upbeat welcoming of autumn in Italy where I am accompanied by my infant twins. All four of us continue to delight ourselves in striking Italian design shopping (namely exquisite handmade children's paraphernalia!), as well as share in the numerous gastronomical delights found off the beaten paths of Milano!

I look forward to providing further updates on the grand opening of the school in a few weeks, as well as sharing more projects from the Chicago studio.

Ciao!

Summer Shimmers...

I must admit it has been challenging balancing time in the studio whilst caring for our new twin boys! Nevertheless, here are a few new pieces that were created in the wee hours of the morning when silence finally descended upon our household!

In the meantime, I am hoping the jewelry school will be officially open by mid-November as we had some unforeseeable construction delays due to the chaotic weather here in Chicago. Private lessons will be available the entire months of September and October for the Munich, Germany studio. Should you have an interest, please email or phone the studio.

Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and until autumn...

New Arrivals...

It is with great pleasure I introduce you to two new members of the Atelier Linde Lim, our recently arrived twin sons, Armand and Tristan!

During my three months of strict bed-rest, I had numerous opportunities to stretch the limits of my design paradigms with new shapes and more unique custom cut stones.  A warm thank you to Claude Fouché and Nancy Abelmann for providing me enormous emotional support during that time! I am eager to get back to the jeweler's bench and look forward to sharing the outcomes in near future posts.

On a slight aside, kindly note from now until the end of May, the studios here in Chicago and New York will be by appointment only. In Munich, I will be available during business hours from 26 April - 06 May.

Haiti Earthquake Benefit...

The images released following the earthquake which shook the island nation of Haiti on Tuesday, displayed the might of nature's fury coupled with the strength of a country rich with history, culture, and resiliency. It became more so touchingly personal when we found out the following morning that a beloved aunt and uncle of our friend, Maggy, were tragically killed.

As a 20+ year Red Cross volunteer who has helped provide aid to communities and peoples in need following natural disasters here and abroad, I hope this post will summon the compassion of an individual to consider the 22K gold, micro-pave diamonds and tourmaline drop earrings I am donating in the memory of Carmel and Cavour. All proceeds (retails at $5100) will be directed to the American Red Cross efforts in Haiti.

Please contact my studios for further details.

In memory of Cavour & Carmel

Welcoming in a new decade...

Wishing all of you good health, good cheer, good luck and a good year in 2010!

As many of my regular clients are aware of through recent holiday correspondence, this new year brings many changes to Atelier Linde Lim. With the upcoming arrival of our twins, as well as my obstetrician-orderd bed rest, the studio will have very limited hours until April. During this time, only existing custom commissions will be worked on and I will honour all original deadlines as specified in their contracts.

Additionally, in June, I am excited to announce that my modern jewelry school, Metalwerkstatt, will officially open and begin offering the first round of classes, with some taught by Master Goldsmiths visiting from New York and Germany.

A Reflection at Year's End...

2009 was a year of "firsts" for Atelier Linde Lim, including receiving the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Vision Award as well as being published in the Swarovski Enlightened 2010 book, which is used by industry insiders to forecast jewelry trends.

This year of firsts has also tested the resilience of Atelier Linde Lim. Like many studio jewelers and goldsmiths, I was forced to respond to this tough economic climate by tightening belts and reducing expenses though cost savings and reductions in equipment expansion budgets. Yet, the depth, quality and extent of handmade pieces produced was undiminished. These accomplishments, however, could not have happened without the generosity of patrons here in Chicago, New York, and Munich. Their continued support will keep the studios going and indeed, I look forward to the new design challenges next year brings. On a slight personal aside, and as some of my customers at the One of a Kind Show in Chicago noticed, I was not present at the entire show due to unexpected early contractions from my twin pregnancy. My friend, Claude, was kind enough to step in and "man the booth" at the very last minute so I could focus on keeping the babies healthy. I also wanted to thank Dr. Mahmoud Ismail and his wonderful staff at the University of Chicago Labor & Delivery Department for taking such good care of me during my hospitalisation, and reassure them that I am currently trying to enjoy strict bed rest at our home! In the interim, the studios will remain closed for the planned holiday season as all 2009 projects are complete, and will reopen 18 January 2010 for commissioned projects. Clients are always welcome to phone to discuss ideas and reserve a space in the queue. Please find below a pair of pieridot, diamond and pink tourmaline earrings that was my final commissioned project for 2009 for a very special New York dancer...

Wishing everyone a joyful holiday and a splendid start to 2010!

Rings & Bands Galore...

As I previously mentioned, it has been a busy time in the studio trying to get all of the engagement rings, bridal-related earrings, as well as commitment and anniversary bands complete before their deadlines this summer!

Without further ado, please find highlights of my most recent custom handmade creations...